The New York Giants do not know whether and to what extent WR Victor Cruz (knee) will recover from the severe knee injury he suffered last season. He might not be ready for the start of training camp, and if he can go Cruz is expected to be on a somewhat limited program.

New York Giants WR Preston Parker has worked in the slot, and he could see time in three-receiver sets if WR Victor Cruz (knee) is not ready for the start of the regular season. WRs Dwayne Harris and Kevin Ogletree are also battling for the possible opening.

New York Giants WR Kevin Ogletree has experience working in the slot, and he might be used in three-receiver sets if WR Victor Cruz (knee) is not ready for the beginning of the regular season. WRs Dwayne Harris and Preston Parker could also be in the mix.

New York Giants WR Dwayne Harris has experience playing the slot, and he could be called upon in three-receiver sets if WR Victor Cruz (knee) is unable to make it for the start of the regular season. WRs Kevin Ogletree and Preston Parker are also in the hunt.

Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins (hip) is able to work out in some capacity during the team?s offseason program, although head coach Rex Ryan indicated Wednesday, April 15, that he doesn?t expect Watkins to do many football-related activities training camp. ?My understanding is Sammy is doing really well,? Ryan said. ?We?re not going to see him out there until training camp. But he should be full go when we get to training camp.?

Former New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday, April 15, in the slaying of Odin Lloyd. He’s facing a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.

Detroit Lions DE George Johnson was acquired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wednesday, April 15. Tampa signed Johnson to an offer sheet that was disputed by Detroit, but the sides swapped undisclosed draft picks to settle it.

San Jose State DB Akeem King, a former wide receiver who converted to a safety, is drawing interest as a cornerback as the NFL Draft approaches. The Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks have all expressed interest in King.

San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers is under contract for one more season, and he has expressed a desire to play out his deal. However, the Chargers might be interested in trading up to draft University of Oregon QB Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 pick currently held by the TennesseeTitans. Tennessee head coach Ken Whisenhunt was the Chargers offensive coordinator in 2013, and offensive coordinator Jason Michael was on the San Diego staff, too.

Florida State QB Jameis Winston posted a score of 27 on the Wonderlic test, administered at the annual NFL Scouting Combine. Wonderlic scores are becoming less relevant in draft equations, they still carry weight at some decision-making positions such as quarterback, an AFC personnel source said.

University of Oregon QB Marcus Mariota worked out for the San Diego Chargers Tuesday, April 14, with head coach Mike McCoy, offensive coordinator Frank Reich, quarterbacks coach Nick Sirianni and several front office members in attendance, sources said. The Chargers pick No. 17 overall, and it would be highly unlikely a camp would allow its client to work out for a team that far back without a strong sense a trade up is a real possibility.

Buffalo Bills QB Matt Cassel believes the talent in Buffalo exceeds that of the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs squad he was a part of. ‘We’ve got all the pieces to the puzzle here to be a successful football team? Our offense has the best skill players in all the league in my opinion.’

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte didn’t make a big deal out of his absence during the team’s voluntary offseason program. Forte stressed the voluntary aspect of the workouts and said he’ll be present when it counts.

Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon will visit with the Miami Dolphins April 22. He has already met with the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals have worked him out.

Indianapolis Colts TE Coby Fleener is entering the final season of his rookie deal, and he is scheduled to become a free agent in spring 2016. He has established himself as one of the most criticial components of the Indy passing offense.

Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton recently fired his agent and re-hired Drew Rosenhaus, a move believed to precede a contract negotiation. He has outperformed his third-round rookie deal, and likely wants a new deal. The two sides have had negotiations, but it is unclear if the talks have moved forward.

Indianapolis Colts OT Anthony Castonzo is slated to play under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. The team sees him as their long-term left tackle, although according to sources there is no long-term deal imminent at this time.

The Miami Dolphins are committed to getting a contract extension done with QB Ryan Tannehill before the start of the regular season. However, there have been no formal discussions between Tannehill?s representatives and the Dolphins since the NFL Scouting Combine. If a new deal cannot be reached, the team can still exercise his fifth-year option to keep him under control through the 2016 season. He would be paid roughly $16 million for 2016 under that scenario.

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte was not present for the start of the offseason workouts Monday, April 13, according to sources. Forte is entering the final year of his contract and is looking for a new contract.

Denver Broncos WR Cody Latimer, who is expected to line up across from WR Demaryius Thomas in 2015, has been praised by WR Emmanuel Sanders, who figures to move inside to the slot position in three-wide receiver sets. ‘Cody is a special player. He has strong hands and is a physical tool. I think this is going to be the year that he jumps onto the scene. I think he’s going to have a big year and I’m happy he’s on my team and in our receiver group,’ Sanders said.

Green Bay Packers restricted free-agent SS Sean Richardson will remain with the Packers after the team decided to match the one-year, $2.55 million offer he signed with the Oakland Raiders, according to a source.

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota is slated to be selected first in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Ron Jaworski. ‘The latest I’m hearing now from my sources around the league, who are pretty wired in, is that he’s going to go number one now to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,’ said Jaworski.

Free-agent QB Tarvaris Jackson (Seahawks) and the Seattle Seahawks have had discussions about a new contract to back up QB Russell Wilson, but there has been difficulty determining Jackson’s value. It is possible the team could look elsewhere for a backup.

Tennessee Titans QB Zach Mettenberger is viewed as the steal of the 2014 NFL Draft by head coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Ruston Webster, and they view him as a poor man’s version of New England Patriots QB Tom Brady.

Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell is expected to open the 2015 season as the primary running back, but Detroit is likely to draft another back, and head coach Jim Caldwell said they plan to add the most talented player available, even it means adding a power back.